Refrigerator cabinet



1954 H. E. ROSEBROOK REFRIGERATOR CABINET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1948 R m m w.

HOMER E. ROSEbaboK BY Afforne 9, 1954 v H. E. ROSEBROOK 2,666,300

\ REFRIGERATOR CABINET Filed July 15, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HOMER E. Rosesaoon A Horn 69 Patented Jan. 19, 1954 REFRIGERATOR CABINET Homer E. Rosebrook, Greenville, Mich., assignor to Gibson Refrigerator Company, Greenville, Micln, a corporation of Michigan Application July 15, 1948, Serial N0. 38,899

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to refrigerator cabinets, and. more particularly to the arrangement of drip pans and partitions therein.

The present invention is particularly adapted to refrigerators having evaporators which are substantially coextensive, at least laterally, with the horizontal internal dimensions of the storage chamber.

It is the practice in some refrigerators of that type to place a drip pan beneath, and relatively close to the evaporator. Below the drip pan and spaced therefrom is an imperforate shelf which acts as a partition between the space thereabove and therebelow. At the front of the cabinet between the main closure and the evaporator are two coplanar auxiliary closures for the evaporator section and the space between the drip pan and the partition.

By means of such an arrangement it is possible to produce three quite different temperatures within the storage chamber, a sub-freezing temperature in the evaporator section above the drip pan, a low, but above freezing temperature between the drip pan and the horizontal shelf below it, and a still higher temperature below the shelf just mentioned. To produce a relatively wide temperature differential between the sections the drip pan is nearly the same size as the horizontal dimensions of the storage chamber behind the auxiliary closures so as to restrict the O circulation of air between the spaces above and below the drip pan. On the other hand, the first shelf below the drip pan should be of such dimensions as to only slightly restrict the flow of air between the spaces above and below it. Both the drip pan and the first shelf below it should preferably have low coefficients of heat transmission.

As can be readily seen, this arrangement does not permit of varying the capacity of the coldest section of the refrigerator by varying its dimensions.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide in a refrigerator cabinet of the character described a movable drip pan and a combination imperforate partition and shelf, so constructed and arranged as to provide great flexibility of temperature conditions in zones adjacent the evaporator.

Another object is to provide a movable drip pan which can be removed from its position adjacent the evaporator and lowered to a new position whereby to substantially increase the frozen food storage space while still retaining its capacity as a drippan.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of drip pan.

These objects, as well as others, will become clearly apparent in the following description of the invention, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a refrigerator cabinet embodying the invention, the usual door of the cabinet being removed;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the drip pan and adjacent parts, taken on substantially the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the drip pan when the latter is mounted in one auxiliary position within the cabinet;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on substantially the line 2--2 of Figure 1, showing the drip pan in another auxiliary position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the drip pan;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 11 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a modified form of drip pan.

This invention is illustrated as being embodied in a refrigerator of the household type. The refrigerator comprises an insulated cabinet [0 having therein a refrigerated food storage chamber H. The chamber II is provided with an access opening closed by an insulated door 12.

An evaporator I 3 for cooling the interior of the food storage chamber l l is mounted in the latter adjacent the top thereof. The evaporator preferably is of generally rectangular box shaped form, of any well known construction, open at thefront. Preferably the evaporator I3 extends substantially from front to rear and from side to side of the chamber ll.

Below the evaporator are a plurality of shelves I4 and [5. The shelves may be of any suitable type, either of open grid construction, or of imperforate form. The shelf l4, however, is an imperforate plate, preferably of glass, which forms a partition between the spaces thereabove and therebelow.

The shelf I6 is spaced slightly from all of the upright sides of the cabinet, permitting a restricted flow of air between the space above the shelf and the space below it. The flow of air is restricted to a sufficient extent, however, so that the temperature of the air immediately above the shelf is maintained near, but not quite 32 F., while the space below the shelf is maintained at a temperature somewhat higher, preferably in 3 the neighborhood of 42 F. In order that proper circulation will be maintained, the side edges of the shelf are positioned quite close to the cabinet side walls, but a fairly large gap is formed at the rear edge of the shelf. See Figure 5.

Between the door l2 and the shelf I4 and evaporator l3 are two auxiliary closures I6 and Mia. Preferably the closures are formed of glass. They are hingedly connected at their lower edges, on horizontal axes, to the sides of the refrigerator cabinet. The closures I6 and Mia are positioned close to, but not quite touching, the evaporator and the shelf I4. The closures act to restrict the flow of air between the spaces above and below the shelf l4, as well as assist in preventing entrance of heat to the space above the shelf I4 when the door I2 is opened.

A drip pan I! normally is positioned below and in relatively close proximity to the evaporator l3, as shown in full lines in Figure 2. The drip pan is a shallow pan, preferably formed of plastic, to reduce the transmission of heat therethrough. The drip pan is slightly deeper at the rear edge than at the front, so that moisture dripping therein will flow toward the back. Four legs Ila are formed on the bottom of the drip pan to support the bottom wall in an inclined position when the drip pan is located in an auxiliary position as shown in Figure 5, and which will be described presently.

The front edge of the drip pan is curved upwardly at I9, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, to assist in collecting moisture, and to provide a handle. A narrow groove I811 is formed in the drip pan bottom adjacent the perimeter thereof. This groove collects moisture dripping into the pan and conducts it to a drain opening I3 at one rear corner of the drip pan. By means of the groove and the drain opening the major part of the drip pan is kept clear of moisture so that the drip pan can be used as a storage shelf, and the drip can be collected in a suitable receptacle placed beneath the drain opening I8.

The drip pan is also provided with an air circulating opening adjacent the front edge thereof. The opening is an elongated slot extending nearly the full width of the drip pan. The opening is surrounded by an upturned flange 20 to prevent moisture from running out through the slot.

A baiile 2I, inclined upwardly and rearwardly, overhangs the slot at the front of the drip pan, in order to prevent moisture falling from the evaporator I3 from continuing directly through the drip pan into the space therebeneath.

Provision is made for removably supporting the drip pan I? in the full line position in Figure 1, or in a position below the shelf M, the latter position being shown in broken lines in Figure 1. The supporting means may take various forms, but in the present instance the supports are channels 22a attached to the inner side walls of the cabinet. See Figure 4. The channels 22a re-, ceive side flanges 22 extending laterally from the drip pan. The flanges slide in the channels 22a.

By means of the supporting channels 22a the drip pan may be selectively located in eitherv of the two positions shown in Figure 1. When the drip pan is located in the full line position directly beneath the evaporator, it not only serves as a drip collector, but acts as a partial insulator between the evaporator and the space above'the shelf I l and the drip pan. The circulation of air between the various spaces within the chamber i i is thereby limited, and the temperature within the space between the drip pan and the shelf I4 is maintained at a temperature above freezing but blow the temperature of the space below the shelf I4.

On the other hand, the temperature in the space above the shelf I4 may be lowered to freezing by removing the drip pan from the full line position and placing it in the broken lin position in Figure 2. Removal of the drip pan from the full line position increases the frozen food storage space materially, because it puts the entire space above shelf I4 into direct communication with the evaporator I3.

At the same time, the drip pan still retains its function as a drip collector because it underlies the shelf I4 and the closures It and i611. When the entire space above shelf M is used for frozen food storage, the evaporator will not be defrosted. Therefore, the only drip which must be collected by the drip pan is that condensing on the closures I6 and Ita and the shelf I4. This moisture runs down the faces of the closures into the drip pan IT, or drips from the underside of the shelf I4.

In order that the drip pair I? may be utilized as a drip collector in both of its positions, it is important that suitable stops, such as abutments 23 at the rear ends of the lower channels 22a, be provided to prevent the drip pan in its lower position from sliding too far rearwardly, so that the front edges of the drip pan be not located beneath the closure iii.

The drip pan may be used as a removable drawer, if desired, in which food can be stored. Articles so stored must be relatively low .in height. In addition, the drip pan may be placed directly upon shelf I4, as shown in Figure 5, permitting the insertion into the regrigerator or removal therefrom of relatively large quantities of food at one time. When so arranged the legs IEa support the bottom of the drip pan in a downwardly and rearwardh inclined position.

The arrangement of parts described, namely, the evaporator I3, shelf I-e-, closures I6 and Ita, and drip pan I1, provide compartments in the upper part of the food storage chamber through which air circulation is substantially restricted. lDuring normal operation, when the drip pan is in the full line position, air can circulate between the evaporator space and the space therebelow only through the restricted openings between the rear and side edges of the drip pan and the corresponding side walls of the chamber, and through the slot in the drip pan defined by flange 20. Air can circulate between the spaces above and below the shelf It only through the restricted openings between the shelf I6. and the chamber side walls. Thus, three different temperatures in the three zones are maintained.

.When the drip pan is mounted as shown in brokenlines in Figure 2, the freezing temperature space is materially enlarged, while the higher temperature ddeosired in the space below shelf It IS main aine he r the shelf m y t restricted openings around The drip pan may be formed of sheet metal if desired. However, sheet metal is a relatively good conductor of heat. Therefore, it is desirable to insulate the drip pan in some manner to reduce the transmission of heat therethrough.

One manner of insulating the drip pan is illustrated in Figure 8, wherein the drip pan is composed of two separate pans 39 and d 9, similar in shape, arranged in spaced apart nested relation. The upper drip pan is identical with drip pan l1 and has a perimetral flange 32. The lower pan is similar in shape but has no perimetral flange. Also, thelower pan 3| has a perimetral groove 33 of larger dimensions than the groove in the pan 30.

The two pans 30 and 3| are attached together by means of a plurality of bolts 34, and held in spaced relation by spacers 35 of rubber or similar insulating material. Both pans are provided with drain openings 36 and 31.

The drip pan shown in Figure 8 is used in the same manner as drip pan I1, being supported by flange 32 in the guides 22a previously described, or being laid upon shelf I 4.

Consequently, it will be seen that the present invention provides great flexibility in operation of the refrigerator in a simple and inexpensive manner.

The scope of the invention appended claim.

I claim:

In a refrigerator cabinet having an evaporator compartment and a second compartment immediately below said evaporator compartment, said compartments being substantially coextensive horizontally with the interior of said cabinet and having provision for air communication between said compartments, the improvement is indicated in the which comprises a drip pan baflie substantially coextensive in a horizontal direction with said compartments, means in said cabinet for removably mounting said drip pan bafile at the to of said second compartment, and means in said cabinet for removably mounting said drip pan bafiie at the bottom of said second compartment said drip pan baflie being capable of association with said evaporator compartment or said second compartment whereby to change the temperature of the second compartment and to collect drip from said second compartment as well as drip from said evaporator compartment.

HOMER E. ROSEBROOK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

